Safety device for banks



gwuawtoz GZWNeeZy G. W. NEELY SAFETY DEVICE FOR BANKS Filer Feb. 24

via M,

Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

UNITED srA'rss GEORGE W. NEELY, OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR BANKS.

Application filed February 24, 1927.

The present invention is directed to improvements in safety devices for banks.

The primary object of the invention is to. provide a device of this character so constructed that a bank teller will be protected or shielded against injury or death by gunfire inflicted by a bandit in an attemptto rob a bank, or other financial institution.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind so constructed that when a demand is made by a bandit for cash, the teller or other ofiicial can operate the device in a manner to allay the suspicion of the bandit.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a bank tellers desk, showing the protector in its inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, the counter being broken away to more clearly illustrate the tripping mechanism.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 44-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a bank counter, and 2 the window frame having guide strips 3'upon its sides. Having its side edges slidably guided in the strips is a bullet proof metallic plate 4, which, as shown in Figure 1, is elevated to permit the teller to transact business through the opening of the frame 2.

Mounted adjacent the frame 1 is a support 5, in this instance being mounted on the floor, and rotatably supported thereon is a drum 6 having secured thereto one end of a cable 7 which is led to a guide pulley 8 carried by the frame 2, as shown in Figure l, and is secured to the plate 4.

The drum is provided upon one end with a ratchet 9, a pawl 10 being provided to normally maintain the drum against movement to prevent the cable from unwinding there from.

An angle lever 11 is employed and has its horizontal arm 12 pivotally mounted upon the support 5 in order that its outer end will lie under the pawl 10,as more clearly illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing. The upper end of the arm 13 is positioned adja cent an opening 14 formed in the counter 1. there being a tray 15 fixed to the upper end of said arm, said tray being movable in the opening 14.

Serial No. 170,654.

Fixed to the inner surface of the plate 4 ad jacent the lower edge thereof is a holder 16 in which a blank cartridge 17 is placed. If desired the window frame opening may be pro- -tected by flared metallic bullet deflecting plates 18-18 suitably braced by the cross bar 19 and cleats 20.

In arranging the device for operation cash is placed upon the tray 15 in order that it can be seen by a person upon the outside of the tellers window and should a bandit demand from the teller money, the teller can, without arousing the suspicion of the bandit, reach for the money upon the tray and upon pressing thereon the lever 11 will be rocked. The rocking of the lever raises the pawl 10 to release the drum, whereupon the plate 4 will rapidly drop by gravity, thus protecting the teller. The plate being of metal and comparatively heavy, will of course unwind the cable from the drum as it descends, and in order to rewind the cable and elevate the plate 4 a crank 22 may be associated with the drum. When the plate 4 reaches the counter the tiring pin E23 will tire the cartridge, thus sounding an alarm.

Having thus described the invention. I claim: I 1. In a protective device for banks including a counter, a window frame adjacent the counter, a plate slidable in the frame, a drum, a cable connecting the plate and drum, said counter having an opening therein means for holding the drum against rotation and the cable wound thereon to normally hold the plate in an elevated position. a tray in the opening, and means operable by the tray for actuating the drum holding means to release the same to permit the cable to unwind as the plate descends.

2. In a protective device for banks inclnding a counter having an opening therein, a frame supported by the counter, a plate slidable in the frame, a drum, a cable connecting the plate and drum. a pawl for normally holding the drum against rotation and a cable wound thereon, a tray in said opening, an angle lever having one end fixed to the tray and the other end engaged with the pawl and operable by the tray for releasing the pawl, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE l/V. NEELY. [1,. s.] 

